英语六级翻译练习题：文化差异

　　同一种动物在东西方不同的文化背景下所表达的含义不尽相同。在西方人眼里，蝙蝠就是一个邪恶、丑陋的吸血鬼(bloodsucker)。但是在我国南方，旧式住 宅的门上常常雕刻着蝙蝠，因为蝙蝠是好运、健康、财富、幸福的象征。西方人认 为孔雀走起路来总是趾高气扬，目中无人，头冠(crown)频频摆动，还不时开屏炫耀其美丽，这是“骄傲”、“虚荣”的表现。而中国人认为孔雀开屏是喜庆吉祥的象征，所以人们常用孔雀比喻美丽的人或事物。

　　译文参考：

　　The same animal in different culture backgroundsbetween the East and the West respectivelyexpresses different meanings. To the West, bats areevil, ugly bloodsucker; but in southern China, batsare often carved on the doors of the old houses,because they are symbols of fortune, health, wealth and happiness. Westerners generallybelieve that the peacock always walks around with her nose in the air, swinging its crownrepeatedly, and shows off its beautiful tail frequently.These are signs of pride and vanity. Incontrast,Chinese think it symbolizes joy and luck that the peacock spreads its tail. So peopleoften compare the peacock to beautiful persons or things.

　　六级翻译技巧点拨：

　　1.东西方不同的文化背景:可译为different culture backgrounds between the East and the West。

　　2.上雕刻着:可译为被动形式be carved on…

　　3.走起路来总是趾高气扬，目中无人:可简译为always walks around with her nose in the air。with one's nose in the air即有“目中无人地”意思。

　　4.孔雀开屏:可译为 the peacock spreads its tail。

　　5.用...比喻:可译为compare…to…